Melodee's Blogtag:www.fujisankei.com,2010-12-30:/melodee//212017-08-08T17:22:02ZMovable Type Pro 6.2.4The Latest & Greatest Online Delivery Services! アメリカで大人気の『オンラインスタイリングサービス』とは?!tag:www.fujisankei.com,2017:/melodee//21.72502017-08-08T17:20:34Z2017-08-08T17:22:02ZIn today's TV episode, I shared all abou...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/
In today's TV episode, I shared all about the latest Delivery Services in the states! I was especially interested in the "Online Styling Service" which focuses on the latest fashion styles and trends.

All you have to do is answer a survey where you can answer your clothing sizes, styles, and preferences in detail, and the professionalist stylist takes care of the rest! When the box of items arrive at your house, it includes a personalized note that tells you what pieces they chose for you and how you can style them. It'll allow you to explore various designs, brands, and looks you may not choose yourself but still suits your taste!

What's so awesome about this service is that you can pick out the items you ended up loving to purchase and easily send back the rest. I was a bit afraid that the clothing weren't going to fit well since I sometimes struggle finding the right sizes for my body type in the US, but surprisingly, most of the items fit like a glove because I entered all the details in the survey!

There were items in the boxes that I personally wouldn't have picked out if I were shopping at the store, but when I actually put it on myself, I ended up loving it! You get to do all of this at the comfort of your own home, so you can take your time coordinating different pieces together that you may already have in your closet and then choose your absolute faves to keep. I think there's really no better way to discover new trends and styles especially if you're a really busy person or have trouble choosing new pieces of clothing to add to your wardrobe!

Trying this service out made me want to be more adventurous with my fashion picks. If you missed the TV episode, you can still check it out HERE! I hope you try these awesome online delivery services out yourself as well! :)

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Adopting Lia・アダプトする事についてtag:www.fujisankei.com,2017:/melodee//21.71722017-07-04T22:25:17Z2017-07-04T22:27:10Z Today, I'd like to share about adopting...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/

Today, I'd like to share about adopting a furry friend. My brother adopted a dog three years ago, so since then, I've been researching a lot about rescue groups and how I can help serve the community...

Lia was found on the streets on LA near a dumpster, and after she was rescued, I had her flown over to NYC. Here is what she looked like (below) when she first came to me. It seemed as though she didn't want to live anymore because she was extremely thin and ill. She wouldn't eat, barely had the energy to walk, and was fearful of human beings. :(

For the first month or so, she would always step back whenever someone approached her. It was an automatic reaction she had which I believe came from being abused by someone (I could tell by her injured nose and expression). Therefore, I made sure to approach her very gently and slowly in a low position, letting her know that she would be okay being around me and that there was nothing to be scared of.

Lia always hid in the corner of a room, so I got her a little "home" so that she could have her own space for a while. I no longer need to use this today, but back then, it was very helpful because I could still see what she was doing from a distance (since it's see-through), and she could also see her surroundings while feeling comfortable. She didn't need to be worried of who or what may come into her private space, so it allowed her to rest well and eat more at her own pace.

このように彼女だけの落ち着けるスペースを作り、この中で少しづつご飯も食べられるようになりました。

She started opening up to me as the days went by, and although it took several months, she started to enjoy walks again! (In the very beginning, I had to wear clunky shoes to attract her attention and have her follow me.) She now runs along with my brother's doggie as well!

徐々に徐々に、本当に少しづつ心を開いてくれるようになり、半年後にやっとリア専用の部屋も要らなくなりました。

Now, she begs for food with twinkling eyes, runs with me at full force at the park, and sleeps in my arms at night. I truly could not be more thankful that she came into my life, and I hope that she feels the same. :) It is absolutely life-changing to see her grow (both mentally and physically!)... and I hope that you can rescue or help spread the word about adopting and the importance of caring for these innocent furry friends, too.

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Summer is Here!tag:www.fujisankei.com,2017:/melodee//21.70902017-06-01T15:07:20Z2017-06-01T16:24:16ZHappy June!I can't believe Summer is alr...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/
Happy June!I can't believe Summer is already here. Lately, I've been quite busy going back and forth to Japan and the states for my own social media work, and it's been amazing being able to explore various food, locations, and places to film. (I can't reveal what I visited Japan for yet, but it'll be released soon!) Here are a couple of delicate and delicious Japanese food photos for your pleasure. :D

I unfortunately have very limited time during these business trips, but what makes every visit so awesome is definitely the food. I can take photos forever because of the beautiful presentation! (Although I ate some of the dishes from the course before snapping a photo...) Japan has various speciality restaurants, and this time I was able to visit a healthy tofu place where you could also see the Tokyo Tower.

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Beautiful Japantag:www.fujisankei.com,2017:/melodee//21.69402017-04-05T12:34:00Z2017-04-05T12:34:38ZHi, everyone! 2017 has already been a ye...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/
Hi, everyone! 2017 has already been a year full of constant traveling for me for work which has been keeping me quite busy, but I thought I'd share some of my new favorite spots I discovered in Japan in this post!

A place called "Kamakura" in Japan is about 40 minutes from Tokyo by train, but it was my first time ever going there. The photo above is the Meigetsu-in temple in Kita-Kamakura, and I was appalled by the beauty of this place. The peak-through window to the garden has a different "face" for each season because you can see the foliage in the Fall, bright greens and ajisai flowers in the Summer, snow in the Winter, and sakura in the Spring! I recommend visiting early in the morning because there won't be as many people and you'll get to enjoy the calm and quiet environment.

Hokokuji was one of the most relaxing and refreshing places I've ever been to. It was a serene area full of bamboo trees reaching towards the sky that never seemed to end. I've seen this place numerous times in photos and have always wanted to go, so being there in person (especially when the weather and temperature was great!) was such a surreal experience. You can enjoy authentic matcha and wagashi (Japanese confectionery) here as well, so it's a perfect place to come with friends, family, or your significant other. I was told that this place is terrific for photos and it's known also known to be a popular "healing spot." To be honest, I did get a bit emotional inside because it was so beautiful and brought back many wonderful memories. :) I literally have hundreds of photos I took in Kita-Kamakura and Kamakura, but here are a few more!

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March Events in NY & LA!tag:www.fujisankei.com,2017:/melodee//21.68262017-02-28T13:00:00Z2017-02-28T19:43:48ZTimes fliesーMarch is here! New York City...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/Times fliesーMarch is here! New York City has gotten a lot warmer, and I'm so glad the freezing days of snow are (hopefully) finally over. In today's TV episode, I'll be sharing with you various events held in New York City and LA in March. Some of them are completely new while some of them may be familiar to you. I don't want to spoil everything, so I will share two of my faves here. :)

One of them is called a "Cat Camp" which is going to be held for the first time in New York City! Here, you'll get to listen to guest speakers and panelists about how to take care of adopted cats as well as tips on how to create a comfortable and happy home for these furry friends. There will also be a place for you to interact and play with the cats that are available for adoption, so it will be a wonderful way to meet a new family member.<3

Another one I would totally attend if I lived still lived in LA would be "Art Night Pasedena." You can begin your own journey at any of the 18 participating cultural institutions, and what's awesome is that there are free shuttles that will directly take you there. :D You can celebrate and welcome Spring in an outdoor garden-like setting, and at night, you'll be able to enjoy fabric and light installations! Others include anime art, Far Eastern music, and eclectic treats that would be wonderful to experience with friends and family!

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Visiting Japan and Fuji Television!tag:www.fujisankei.com,2017:/melodee//21.67672017-02-02T21:12:59Z2017-02-02T21:16:54ZDuring the month of January, I flew to J...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/During the month of January, I flew to Japan for work! I was able to meet with various business-related individuals and old friends + enjoyed my own time by visiting places I've always wanted to go to in Japan. I also was able to visit Fuji Television once again and reunited with ex-members of the FCI New York family who now work there! :)

Outside Fuji Television! This massive building looks incredible in real life. I have to say I was freezing though because it's right by the beach and the wind was crazy this day!(The temperature in Japan was insanely low during my stay in Japan but apparently bounced back up right after I left... T_T smh)

I had the wonderful opportunity of exploring various studios and control rooms to learn how everything comes to be. It's definitely a completely different experience seeing a broadcast go "live" from the creators' point of view. It's certainly a huge team effort that involves hundreds, and literally every second counts in the TV industry.

This is the view outside the Fuji TV dining area! You can see the beautiful city landscape, beautiful Rainbow Bridge, and even the Statue of Liberty replica towards the bottom of the photo! It was a very nostalgic lunch with the Fujisankei family, and of course the Japanese cuisine was delicious!

Here is none other than the lovely Ms. Chiyo Abe who I had the honor of working with at FCI NY! :) She has taught me so much during our time together and is a wonderful role model in so many ways. Everyone misses her tremendously back in NY including me. Her sweet personality always shines through her smile!

I would like to thank every single person I got to meet at Fuji Television! Seeing the immense amount of time, effort, and work that goes on behind the scenes to create spectacular TV programs was a very valuable and memorable experience.Thank you all so much!!

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Rediscovering my "Roots" in Hawaiitag:www.fujisankei.com,2017:/melodee//21.66802017-01-03T16:53:14Z2017-01-07T18:37:34ZHappy New Year!! I hope everyone's 2017 ...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/
Happy New Year!! I hope everyone's 2017 is off to a fabulous start. :)明けましておめでとうございます！今年もどうぞ宜しくお願い致します。

As I shared on my social media, I recently visited Hawaii to film for a New Year's Special TV documentary that was focused on my upbringing and "roots." The last time I went to Hawaii was when I just turned three years old with my mother, father, brother, and grandmother. (Never did I think I would revisit for TV filming!) When you think of Hawaii, the first thing that comes to mind would probably be the beach, delicious food, etc. (which I was looking forward to very much), however, that wasn't the main reason why I visited. I flew to the island to rediscover my "roots" by interacting with Japanese Americans living in Hawaii.

First off, getting to Hawaii was quite a journey. My original flight had aircraft issues they couldn't solve after boarding us all, so I ended up having to take off 15 hours later than planned. I was worried this entire filming wasn't going to happen, but thankfully, I was able to get to Hawaii in the end. *phew* Everything we had planned had to be entirely rescheduled, but I was very thankful that everyone I encountered during this journey and the crew was incredibly understanding and kind enough to make last minute adjustments in order to film for this. My body was extremely exhausted after the long delay/flight + jetlag, but once I landed, I got ready and went straight into filming at Waikiki Beach. Luckily, the sun was shining bright this day (even though the forecast said it was going to rain all week!), and I instantly felt energized. I felt very grateful to be welcomed by wonderful people and weather, and today, I'd like to share my experiences through this blog post.

I was expecting Hawaii to be very warm, but it was quite cold and VERY windy!!ハワイは一年中とっても暑いイメージがあったのですが、この日のビーチはすご〜く風が強くて意外と寒かったです!! でもやっぱり景色はため息が出るほど美しく、海を眺めているだけで癒されました。

I had the wonderful opportunity of learning hula from Kumu Blaine Kamalani Kia and the Women of Halau Ka Waikahe Lani Malie! It was my very first time doing hula, so they showed me the moves and taught me the meaning behind each movement. I strongly felt that dance (in all forms and genres) is truly a language of its own with no words necessary. After this, I continued filming by visiting several shops (such as International Marketplace and ABC Stores) to find the perfect souvenirs and a beauty mask that you can only get in Hawaii. :D

The next day, I met Mr. Lloyd Kawakami of the famous (and oldest) family-owned Hawaiian aloha wear, 'IOLANI. Lloyd-san's grandfather immigrated to Hawaii back in the day as an issei (first generation Japanese), and Lloyd-san's father began the 'IOLANI brand. I was so surprised to find out that the famous aloha shirt was first created from a Japanese kimono and that it was created by Japanese people! The photo above was taken on day two when we returned to Waikiki Beach to film around sunset hour. I never get to really experience the calming sound of waves and relaxation in New York City, so I instantly felt my mind and body feel so refreshed.

Living in a very busy, fast-paced environment in NYC doesn't really allow me enough time to sit down and think about my identity and roots... However, I got to visit the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii for the first time. I must say I was in absolute shock when I read the heartbreaking words and saw countless photos of Hawaii's history. (I will refrain from posting too many photos here because I would truly like every person who visits Hawaii to experience it themselves in person.) It was an extremely eye-opening experience to discover the unimaginable hardships the isseis and niseis went through (first and second generation Japanese), and they are the reason why the people of Hawaii and Japanese Americans can live proudly today.

After having the tour with Lloyd-san, we sat down and spoke for nearly an entire hour regarding the history of Japanese Americans and our dreams. Hearing Lloyd-san's heartfelt words really made me realize that we cannot take it for granted and must never forget the true heroes that fought for our generation and on.

I also met the most adorable local girls in Hawaii. They mentioned that they have never been to Japan but cherish Japan and the culture very much. I was so touched by how pure their hearts were and how connected they were with their own culture despite being so far away.そして今回の旅で出会った小さな女の子たち。彼女たちは日系５世。日本に行った事がないと話していたのに、ものすごく可愛い笑顔で「日本の文化が大好き！」と言っていたのがとても印象的で、もしかしたら日本に住んでいる同じ歳の子供達よりも日本を愛しているのでは？と思えるくらいでした。

On my last day in Hawaii, I woke up at 3:00am so we could go see the sunrise at the beach in Hawaii. (It is a Japanese tradition to see the sunrise for New Year's, so it was perfect for this.) Unfortunately, the forecast said it was going to rain, so it was very dark, gloomy, and windy as ever when we were heading there. I was unable to see the beautiful sunrise in Hawaii, however, after I finished speaking about my feelings looking back on this journey, the sunshine miraculously peaked through the clouds! It was only for a short moment, but I felt like the sun came out to show me the beauty of Hawaii one last time. I could not be more thankful to each and every person I encountered in Hawaii, and for treating me like we have been friends since long ago. Although it was a very short and sweet trip, it was one I'll never forget. I was gifted with lots of love, kindness, and inspiration.... and the glimpse of sunshine I saw on the very last morning was the perfect way to end this journey in Hawaii. :)

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Christmas in New York! 2016tag:www.fujisankei.com,2016:/melodee//21.66182016-12-13T23:52:35Z2016-12-13T23:11:32ZThe jolly holiday season is here!New Yor...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/
The jolly holiday season is here!New York City is most well-known for places like Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall during this time of the year. Apparently this year's tree (pictured below) is the 2nd highest one in history! :)

Here are some of the special ornaments they have! As you can see, there are Christmas ornaments of all kinds of people and jobs including policemen, firefighters, nurses, dentists... the list goes on! This is only a tiny selection, so you can certainly find something for everyone.

こちらは職業別のオーナメント！普通のオーナメントと違って、自分との繋がりを感じられるオーナメントをギフトとしてもらったら嬉しいですよね。

I got to personalize my own family ornament as well! :) They have a wide variety of options and designs, so you can select your fave according to how many people you have in your family, gender, age, etc.

White polar bears living in the Arctic!All the life-size dolls and polar bears were moving as well!

こちらは北極のクリスマスシーン✨サイズも大きくて、迫力のある白クマ！

Here are adorable Santas gathered together enjoying their time!If you look really closely, the Christmas tree is pizza ornaments on it.They're drinking coke, and it reminds you of a scene in a nostalgic storybook. :)

If you're in the NYC area, I highly recommend you to go check it out in real life because everything's phenomenal! You'll certainly be able to find some awesome gifts and get great photos here. In case you missed the TV airing, you can watch the full episode online to see everything in action. Please have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!! :) xoxo

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Fall/Winter 2016 Upcoming Events in NY & LA! tag:www.fujisankei.com,2016:/melodee//21.53972016-11-01T16:02:23Z2016-11-02T00:57:19Z* UPDATE *The TV episode on NY and LA ev...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/* UPDATE *The TV episode on NY and LA events for the month of November aired on 11/01!If you missed it, you can also watch it online HERE! This episode is in Japanese, but please refer to the list below for all the details on the events mentioned. It's getting cold outside, but I hope you keep yourself nice and warm and enjoy these festive events! :)

New York has become quite chilly, but that also means it's time for Halloween and the holiday season! :D Yesterday, I had TV filming and narrating for introducing exciting upcoming events in New York and LA!

Below is one of the locations we filmed atーRockefeller Center! This is where tourists gather from all around the world to enjoy the holiday season in NYC. It was very windy and cold, but I got through the shoot with my fluffy faux fur coat and heat-technology innerwear. As you can see, the ice skating rink is complete as well! I can't wait to find out how the world's most famous Christmas tree is going to turn out this year!

ロケ先はこちら！ニューヨークのホリデーシーズンといえば観光客が世界中から集まるここ、Rockefeller Center✨

撮影当日は風も強く、とても寒かったので暖かいコートとヒート系インナーで頑張りました。(><)

ご覧のように、スケートリンクも既に完成!!

Rockefellerの世界一有名なクリスマスツリー、今年はどの様にディスプレイされるのでしょうか？

Rewinding back one month... The most famous event in November would certainly be the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! This year will mark it's 90th parade, so I'm sure it's going to be a very grand and memorable one! :)

As I've mentioned, I will also be sharing events happening in LA that you should certainly check out! They will range from active outdoor events to relaxing ones that'll be perfect to spend quality time with your friends and family. I won't write too much here since I don't want to spoil everything... so please stay tuned for the TV airing/online episode to come out at the beginning of November! :)

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MCed at the JNTO Visit Japan Tourism Seminar in NY! 安倍総理もご出席！観光訪日セミナー in ニューヨークtag:www.fujisankei.com,2016:/melodee//21.53162016-09-25T17:39:00Z2016-11-22T15:13:38ZLast week, I had the greatest honor to M...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/
Last week, I had the greatest honor to MC at the JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) "VISIT JAPAN" Tourism Seminar in both English and Japanese, and over 200 media and VIPs attended from the states and Japan! Prime Minister Abe also attended despite his busy schedule, and he shared about all the alluring aspects of Japan and the "omotenashi" spirit in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. From left to right, the special guest speakers for the event were Olympic medalist Ms. Kasumi Ishikawa, Mr. Bobby Valentine, Mr. YOSHIKI from X JAPAN, and Olympic gold medalist Ms. Kaori Icho!

The first person I had a one-on-one talk session with in English on stage was Mr. YOSHIKI from X JAPAN! He was the perfect guest for this event, as he is a true legend representing Japan through his world-famous rock and classical music pieces as well as fashion. He composed and performed a piano concerto to commemorate the Japanese Emperor's 10th anniversary of his reign, created the theme song for the 69th Golden Globe Awards, and the documentary film "We are X" played in theaters all around the globe. During the event, he shared his creative passion and love for Japanese kimono through his "YOSHIKIMONO" collection including a screening of the show's runway and performance. He is one of the most down to earth stars I have ever spoken with, and you will get to see more on the TV episode airing on FCI tomorrow morning!

Then I invited Mr. Bobby Valentine on stage who was the first American to accept a management position in the Pacific League of Japan and also led the Chiba Lotte Marines to its first Asian championship! He was also the first foreign manager to win the prestigious Shoriki Award that is given to the person who contributes the most to Japanese baseball. He shared the Japanese hospitality and cultural experiences he had during his travels across Japan, and because Japanese people were always so welcoming and kindhearted to him, he gave back to the country by conducting a week-long baseball clinic during the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami which brought back many, many smiles. (One story he mentioned about his experience in Japan: When he would ask Japanese people to figure out how to get around the city, instead of just receiving directions to get somewhere, they would literally take time out of their day to go to his destination together, and after making sure everything was alright, they would leave without expecting anything in return. This is something I actually experienced as well the very first time I visited Tokyo!) Mr. Valentine's humorous, outgoing, and thoughtful words were very powerful and inspiring. :)

バレンタイン元監督は、監督時代日本中を周っていらしたご経験から日本と日本人の魅力をユーモアたっぷりにお話ししてくださいました。

私が日本へ行った時に感じる日本人とアメリカ人との違いと優しさなども共感でき、とても楽しいインタビューをさせて頂きました。

Lastly, I had a panel discussion in Japanese with Olympic medalists Kaori Icho and Kasumi Ishikawa! Ms. Icho (Olympic gold medalist in wrestling) shared her stories and wonderful aspects of her hometown, Aomori, which is where she lived until age 15. Aomori is well-known for apples, but what I thought was really interesting was a snack called "senbei-jiru." Apparently most people living in Japan have never heard of it either, so it's a very "Aomori" thing! "Senbei" is a Japanese rice cracker that comes in various flavors, shapes, and sizes, and the "shiru" is like a soup. Ms. Icho shared that the senbei specifically made for senbei-jiru usually has a very light flavor, and you dip it into the shiru (often shoyu based) to enjoy! It sounded very yummy and I really hope to try it out one day in Aomori. :) She also share about her hometown's famous matsuri, her favorite "power food" natto, as well as her love for onsen because she can open up and strengthen her friendship with foreign athletes in the relaxing environment. When I asked about her other favorite places in Japan, she mentioned that she trained in the mountains of Niigata (where there used to be no service or anything other than the training facility), and that is where the Japanese wrestling team grew a lot more powerful. She shared that what she loves about Japan and Japanese people the most is that they are extremely hardworking and have the drive to never give up on themselves. Speaking with her made me feel so motivated and gave me the energy to keep aiming higher!

Ms. Ishikawa is around the same age as me, so she was also very wonderful to speak with! I could immediately feel the super sweet personality she and her mother had when I had a briefing with them prior to the event. Ms. Ishikawa is from Yamaguchi, and she spoke about the beautiful views the city offers including the Kintai(kyo)-bashi. If you ever visit Yamaguchi, be sure to check it outーshe really wants foreigners to go there because of its extremely unique shape that makes it challenging to walk across! When I asked what other activities she would like visitors to do in her hometown, she shared that creating your own ceramic through "hagiyaki" would be a very memorable experience. As for food, she shared that people in Yamaguchi say "fuku" for "fugu" (pufferfish) because they believe eating "fuku" brings lots of happiness and good fortune. Everyone in the venue could tell how much she cherishes her hometown through her big and adorable smile as she spoke!

I could keep writing on and on about all the stories they shared, but please tune into FCI tomorrow morning to see more from the event! I felt incredibly inspired speaking with some of the most talented and genuine people in this world, and I was so honored to have been a part of this event. Thank you for reading my TV blog, and see you on your TV screen tomorrow around 7:45am (EST)! :)*Update* : If you missed it on TV, you can watch part of today's airing online HERE!

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Trendylicious: Authentic Japanese Fish Market in NYC! OSAKANAtag:www.fujisankei.com,2016:/melodee//21.53062016-09-21T15:57:12Z2016-09-22T00:18:18ZIf you're looking for extremely fresh an...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/If you're looking for extremely fresh and tasty fish in the states, OSAKANA is the place to go! This is a new store that opened in New York that provides top quality fish that is on par with what you can taste at places like Tsukiji fish market in Japan. The expertly sourced and prepared fish here is what makes this place extra special, and what they carry each day varies since they only bring in the best of the best. I even discovered some rare fish I've never heard of before while reporting!

Not only do they sell fish that'll be perfect for sushi/sashimi, they also have a selection of fish that are already carefully flavored (such as "miso zuke") so you can create and enjoy Japanese-style fish dishes at home! It instantly feels like you're in Japan when you step into the store, and when you proceed to the back, they provide special classes that'll teach you how to properly prepare and cook fish along with incredible recipes you would've never thought of! If you missed the airing on TV, you can check it out HERE with subtitles by pressing the CC button. Be sure to stop by if you're in the NY area for a happier and healthier diet! :)

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Rio Olympics 2016! リオ五輪tag:www.fujisankei.com,2016:/melodee//21.52252016-08-29T21:26:46Z2016-09-02T04:23:50ZHi, everyone! I hope your week is off to...Melodeehttp://fujisankei.com/melodee/Hi, everyone! I hope your week is off to a fabulous start. :) Today I wanted to share some photos from the 2016 Rio Olympics! My brother Andrew was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for an entire month to cover the Olympics for TV, and he sent me awesome photos he took there!

As a dancer myself, I get incredibly inspired and emotional seeing the athletes give it their all for the moment they've prepared for their entire lives. The never-ending hours of practice, dedication, joy, sweat, pain, tears... and I can't even imagine how much pressure they battle as an individual representing their *entire* country. The Rio Olympics was definitely one to remember for Japan, collecting a total of 41 medals which was the highest number of medals in history for the country! :)

The following are some of the photos that my brother took in Rio during his business trip!

The infamous Olympics logo at the Copacabana Beach!

Inside the arena before the Gymnastics at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Sunrise shot from Christ the Redeemer (photo above the sunrise shot) at 6am!

Lastly, here's a photo of my brother and I with our two doggies when he came back!Both of our dogs were adopted in New York City, and my brother's dog got especially hyper that he almost fainted since he was finally able to meet Andrew after a whole month. :)

I'm back with a brand new TV episode covering the latest and greatest ICE CREAMS in New York City! July is National Ice Cream Month, so what better way to spend a hot day outdoors than enjoying these delicious treats that'll cool you down? :D (Btw sorry it's been so long- I was traveling and was away for a while!) I'm pretty sure many of you have seen the BLACK ice cream that's been all over the internet. Well, I got to try it out for the first time, so I will report to you exactly what it looks and tastes like for you...! Be sure to watch the entire episode to see all the other types of unique ice creams you'll want to have for yourself.<3Watch the full aired TV episode HERE!

Keio Academy of New York is a private co-educational, international secondary school in Purchase, NY.They have always been a leader in bilingual, bicultural education, and students from all over the worldcome together here in the Summer to gain a valuable experience you cannot find elsewhere.This year will mark the 9th year of having this two-week program, and its unique curriculums aim to not only excel language skillsbut also to discover and appreciate cultural differences from around the globe.Watch the aired TV episode HERE to find out all about the details!

Last weekend, I went to the yearly Smorgasburg in Brooklyn to try out the latest food trends in New York City! A lot of Asian cuisine and stores have been on the rise lately, and I will be introducing you three in this episode. First up is Jianbing, which is a popular Chinese comfort food that comes in a crepe like wrap that is eaten as a meal (most commonly for breakfast). Secondly, the amazing flavored waffles topped off with ice cream, mochi, and more from Wowfulls... and lastly the infamous Raindrop Cake which was inspired by a Japanese confectionery.Watch the aired TV episode HERE to find out what everything looks and tastes like! :)